Dakota Fanning to Star in "Wizard of Oz" Sequel?

According to the Daily Express, Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds) is currently in negotiations to star in a sequel to the 1939 "Wizard of Oz" film. The new movie is inspired by a toy line (see photos below) created by Todd McFarlane, the man behind "Spawn."

"It will be set in the present day and feature Dorothy's granddaughter," said producer Basil Iwanyk (Clash of the Titans). McFarlane added: "You've still got Dorothy trapped in an odd place, but she's much closer to the Ripley character from Alien [Sigourney Weaver] than a helpless singing girl."

Screenwriter Josh Olson (A History of Violence) is planning to take the toy line and tone it down a fit. "I saw those toys, and Dorothy as some bondage queen isn't something I want to do," he said. "The appealing thing about the Baum books to me is how wildly imaginative they are. There are crazy characters from amazing places. I want this to be 'Harry Potter' dark, not 'Seven' dark."

I loved 1985 "Return to Oz". It was already a very dark take on the story (ok, without bondage stuff...) that really scared me when I was a kid. With "Labyrinth", one of my favourites childhood movies...
This one... well, let's see who helms it..... Christophe Gans?

I like how directors say stuff like, "I like this concept, but only on it's basest sense. I going to change as much of the original design as possible and try to make a halfway decent movie out of it. I'm sure the original creator won't mind at all." *cough cough*anything based on the creations of Alan Moore*cough cough*

calling thse 'toys' is an insult in a way. Like you can 'play' with them like a kid plays with Hot Wheels. They're 'collectible action figurines'. So they're kinda cool to look at, but ultimately pointless.

No opinion on the movie other than: remake the original FIRST. Seventy years ago came the first film, so I think a good remake is in order.

i'd rather this be a dark twisted version of wizard of oz made into a playable game....much like 'american mcgee's alice'...now that would be a good direction...and THEN i'd consider seeing a movie based on those twists

Thanks for the support, Ranger, regarding that "Runaways" thread. You had me rolling on the line "I want to see Dakota tied up and blindfolded." Ha ha. Good stuff. Sounds like a spinoff of "Man on Fire" - "c*nt on Fire", maybe? Gimme some feedback 'cause I'm ready to shoot this sucker (hey, I think I found your opening line).

@ Monroe, i think there's still plenty of great ideas out there...the fact of the matter is that hollywood just gets more pathetic....there ARE good ideas out there...but they're not using them...therefore...they are pathetic as well as beyond that

I dont think a remake will go down well to be honest... All people ever do when they here about a remake is bitch about it. I Think a different take on the idea of Oz is a good idea. Would be very interesting to see how this turns out.